Integratable structural panels



May 31, 1966 R. A. SCHAKEL INTEGRATABLE STRUCTURAL PANELS 3 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Aug. 31, 1964 INVENTOR.

RAYMOND A. SCHAKEL May 31, 1966 R. A. SCHAKEL INTEGRATABLE STRUCTURALPANELS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 31, 1964 INVENTOR.

RAYMOND A. SCHAKEL May 31, 1966 R. A. SCHAKEL INTEGRATABLE STRUCTURALPANELS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 51, 1964 United States Patent3,253,377 HNTEGRATAELE STRUCTURAL PANELS Raymond A. Schakel, Lufldn,Tern, assignor to Aluminum Company of America, Pittsburgh, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Filed Aug. 31, 1964, Ser. No. 394,381 12Claims. (Cl. 52-595) This application is a continuation-in-part of myapplication, Serial No. 282,356, filed May 22, 1963, now abandoned.

The invention relates in general to preformed rigid structural panelmembers or sections suitable for and capable of interlocking marginaledge assembly in the establishment of integrated sheathed areas, withspecific reference to cargo-supporting surfaces, decks, roofs, walls,and similar load-bearing assemblies, whether the same be employed instatic or mobile structures.

Regardless of the final use or installation of the structural panelmembers contemplated within the scope of the invention, it is a primarydesideratum to provide a panel element or structural member, preferablyin the form of an extrusion or similar substantially rigid accuratelyreproducible fabricated member, having opposite marginal longitudinaledge areas transversely configurated or profiled in a manner to provideinterlocking integrated contiguous edge assembly of adjacent contactingpanel elements to provide a sheathed and/ or load-supporting surfacearea in which the marginal joints between adjacent panel members may bewater-proofed or sealed by a strip of resilient material secured inplace by a groove especially configurated as a result of a pre-selectedconfiguration or profile of the marginal longitudinal edge areas of eachindividual panel in a contiguous integrated structural assembly thereof.

It has been heretofore proposed and conventional practice to constructand install flooring, and similar panel members in overlapping orcontacting longitudinal edge assembly and to rely entirely uponmetal-to-metal sealing or hearing contact between the marginal edgeportions of the adjacent panels to provide moisture or water-proofjointure therebetween. Such integrated metal-to-metal installations haveobtained considerable acceptance as cargosupporting floors inrefrigerated trucks and analogous installations subjected to moisturecollection and liquid drainage resulting from refrigerationcondensation, as well as liquid drainage from the cargoes themselves.

Regardless of the above referred to generally accepted and conventionalpractice, metal-to-metal contacting jointure between adjacent flooringand similar sheathing panels of the general type herein contemplated areanything but moisture or leak-proof, and particularly in mobile vehicleinstallations subject to vibration, many instances arise where moisturedrainage from refrigerated cargo escapes through the cargo-supportingflooring joints into the conventional insulation below the flooring tothereby impair its effectiveness. This condition is'also greatlyaggravated where liquid contents of cargoes contribute to refrigerationcondensation and escape into the insulation conventionally installedbelow the flooring making it necessary in many such situations toreplace the insulation to obviate an unsanitary condition. There is alsothe problem of corrosion of the vehicle or supporting framework belowits cargo-supporting area from uncontrolled moisture drainage throughthe marginal edge metal-to-metal joints now in commercial use.

With these and other similar deficiencies facing conventional integratedsheathing and flooring systems, it is a prime object of the presentinvention to provide rigid metallic panel members or elementsconfigurated along their opposite marginal areas in a manner to permitready and facile interengaging marginal assembly thereof 3,253,377Patented May 31, 1966 to provide jointed water-proof sheathedstructures, such as a load-supporting area or cargo space.

Another object of the invention is to provide extruded metallicstructural members or panels, opposite marginal longitudinal edges ofwhich, in integrated interlocking assembly or connection therebetween,are so configurated as to provide a channel for receiving andrestraining a preformedv resilient sealing trip, or moldable plasticsealing compound, to prevent moisture leakage through the marginal edgeconnection between adjacent panels.

The invention, and additional objects and advantages thereof, will bebetter understood by those skilled in the art to which the sameappertains from consideration of the following description, taken in thelight of the accompanying drawings selected for purposes ofillustration, and not in a limiting sense, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective fragmentary sectionalized view of acargo-supporting area, such as a flooring system, suitable for use in arefrigerated truck, trailer, or the like;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but modified therefrom in itsincorporation of a reversing key intermediate the width of the flooringsystem illustrated therein;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of an individual rigid panel elementremoved from either of the installations of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of a marginal edging strip member suchas depicted at the left-hand terminal edge of the flooring system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of a marginal edging strip member suchas depicted at the right-hand terminal edge of the installation of FIG.1, as well as at both terminal edges of the installation of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the reversing key member employedintermediate the width of the flooring installation of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective fragmentary sectionalized view of a preformedresilient sealing strip capable of incorporation in the installations ofFIGS. 1 and 2, as well as in the subsequently listed illustrations;

FIG. 8 is a transverse elevational view, in partial section,incorporating the improved integrated interlocking marginal edge jointof the invention in its application to a modified structural panel;

FIG. 9 is a transverse elevational view, in partial section,incorporating the joint structure of the invention in its applicationbetween another form of similar structural panels; and I FIG. 10 is atransverse elevational view, in partial section, substantially similarto the integrated joint and panel system of FIG. 9, but having theintegrated marginal edge joint area thereof elevated and disposed in.the outwardly facing coplanar surface of the interconnected structuralpanels.

More specific reference is now made to a specific mode of practicing theinvention in which a cargosupporting floor for a refrigerated vehicle,or the like, has been selected for purposes of illustration anddescription. In this practice of the invention, cargo-supporting floorshave been constructed from individual extruded panels 10 (FIGS. 1 and 3)in integrated adjacent contiguous marginal edge interconnection witheach other, as well as with dissimilar marginal terminating or edgingextrusions l2 and 14 (FIGS. 4 and 5), in the installation of theflooring system of FIG. 1. Also, the same individual extruded panels 10have been illustrated in adjacentcontinguous integrated marginal edgeinterconnected assembly with each other, as well as with the samemarginal terminating or edging extrusion 14 (FIG. 5) by employing anintermediate reversing key element in the form of extrusion 16 (FIG. 6)in some position, preferably substantially centrally located, within the3 transverse width of the flooring in the installed system of FIG. 2.

Each similar extruded panel has been selected, for purposes ofdescribing this embodiment of the invention, in a form to provide alower or bottom support, attaching or hearing web carrying parallelspaced vertically upstanding ribs 22 supporting load-bearing flanges 24in a common plane parallel to and disposed above the supporting orattaching web 20. It will be observed that the upstanding ribs 22 formmoisture draining channels therebetween in accordance with conventionalpractice in refrigerated cargo-supporting conveyances, and similarmobile or stationary installations, where it is a desideratum to supportrefrigerated goods and commodities above and out of contact withmoisture draining areas in the form of gutters disposed below theelevated load-supporting flanges 24.

Opposite longitudinal marginal edge areas of each similar extruded panel10 have been pre-selectively configurated or profiled to providetongue-within-groove interlocking marginal connection in adjacentcontiguous integrated lateral assembly of substantially similar panelelements. In this respect the left-hand marginal edge area of eachextruded panel element 10 (FIG. 3) is configurated to extend outwardlybeyond the upstanding rib carrying the outermost load-bearing flange 24to provide a knee web extension 26 intermediate the flange 24 andparallel plane of the lower or' bottom bearing web 20 of the panel. Theknee web 26 is also preferably offset or joggled to provide a contiguousdownwardly depending outwardly directed web surface or knee bend 28,preferably lying in a vertical plane normal to the common plane of theload-bearing flanges 24 and lower parallel bearing web 20, below whichit is angularly undercut to provide an inwardly extending groove 30 incontiguous connection with an outwardly extending horizontal male tongueor flange 32 formed integral with and offset below the knee web 26.

The transverse profile or configurated outline of the axially extendingleft-hand marginal edge area of the extruded panel 10, thus fardescribed, preferably provides the outwardly extending knee web 26 andoutwardly extending male tongue in contiguous parallel joggled orstepped interconnection with each other, the web interconnecting thesame locating and providing the aforesaid groove 30 on its outwardlydirected surface and a downwardly and outwardly inclined oppositesurface 34 blending with a rib or protuberance 36 in contiguousconnection with the underside surface of the male tongue 32.

The opposite axially extending or right-hand edge area of the panel 10,as best viewed in FIG. 3, outwardly beyond and including the upstandingrib carrying the outermost load-bearing flange 24, is formed by acontiguous outwardly extending portion of the bottom planar bearingflange or attaching web 20, the upper surface of which carries anupwardly extending foreshortened longitudinal rib or abutment 40intermediate the outwardly extending width of the aforesaid extendedflange. In addition, the outwardly facing surface of the outwardlydisposed rib carrying the most outwardly located bearing flange 24- islocally thickened within its depth to provide an outwardly extendingaxial boss 44 having an outwardly directed or facing vertically flatboss surface 48 undercut therebelow to provide an angularly profiledgroove 46 subtended by a shoulder 42 and a second furtherly inwardlydirected or extending groove or recess 43. A longitudinal groove 50 inthe upper surface of the outwardly extending marginal flange portion ofthe bearing web 20 is usually provided as a means for accuratelylocating apertures for machine fastening elements, such as screws,rivets, bolts, or the like, as will be hereinafter described in moredetail.

Longitudinal marginal edge interlocking connection between similaradjacent extruded panels 10 provides a contiguous cargo-supportingsurface or area defined by the upper or elevated load-bearing orcargo-supporting flanges 24 and their unitary supporting lower bearingor supporting webs 20. This is accomplished by tilting one panel orsection 10 to present its male tongue 32 through the open top femalechannel formed between the upstanding rib 40 and outwardly extendingboss 44, followed by oscillation of the tilted panel into coplanardisposition of adjacent similar panels to enter the preferably roundednose of the male tongue 32 within the groove 43. In this lattercondition of assembly, it will be observed that the downwardly disposedbulbous rib 36 and contiguous upwardly and inwardly inclined surface 34provide stepped bearing contact with the upwardly facing surface of theextended attaching or bearing web 20 and an adjacent contigous upwardlyand outwardly inclined surface 51 of the short upstanding rib 40,respectively, to laterally lock the marginally interconnected panels 10against coplanar separation. In this respect, the inclined surfaces 34and 51 are preferably angularly complementary and the male tongue 32 isselected in such length that its free extremity underlies the shoulder42 and is restrained against vertical separation of the so marginallyinterconnected panels 10 in coplanar integrated assembly thereof, as isbest illustrated in the transverse substantially central area of theassembled installation of FIG. 1.

It will be observed that the integrated interconnection between oppositemarginal edges of adjacent similar panels 10, above-described, alsoprovides a downwardly open or depressed channel formed between theseparated or spaced and opposing vertically parallel surfaces 28 and 48,the channel being otherwise laterally enlarged or undercut below itsparallel opposed wall surfaces 28 and 48 by means of the oppositelydisposed cooperating undercut grooves 30 and 46 to thus provide adownwardly re-entrant channel configuration for reception and restraintof a preformed resilient sealing strip 18 (FIG. 7) of substantially thesame, or preferably slightly larger, transverse cross-section to that ofthe aforesaid re-entrant channel configuration. The sealing strip 18 ispreferably selected in natural or synthetic rubber, many available andfully equivalent commercial products being satisfactory for the intendedpurpose thereof. FIG. 7 illustrates the resilient sealing strip 18 ashaving a transverse cross-section providing a central web 114 andintegral bottom flange 112 in substantial conformity to the transversecross-section of the above-described re-entrant channel receiving thesame.

It will be apparent from the hereinabove description of the integratedinterconnection between opposite male tongue and female grooved marginaledges of contiguously adjacent similar extruded panels 10 that acargosupporting floor system or area is provided having elevatedload-carrying or supporting adjacently spaced coplanar flanges 24separated by drainage channels therebetween, with a somewhat shallowerdrainage channel provided by the marginal knee webs 26 located in themarginal interlocked areas between adjacent similar panels 10. It is offurther prime significance to observe that the aforesaid marginalinterconnections do not rely upon metal-to-metal bearing contact forassurance against moisture leakage through and along such so formedjoints, but in fact provide configurated re-entrant channels forreception and restraint of the preformed resilient sealing strips 18. Inthis connection the individual sealing strips 18 are preferably forcedunder pressure into their complementary configurated re-entrant channelsand preferably form a flush surface in the plane of the upper exposedsurface of each of the knee webs 26.

The individual similar or substantially similar panels 10 are preferablyprovided and stocked in several selected transverse widths, asdistinguished from indeterminate longitudinal lengths thereof as in thecase of their fabrication by extrusion. In this manner the panels 10 areselectable in their number, based on their individual transverse widths,to cover any required cargo area to be paneled or floored. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, proper numerical selection of equal width panelscould suffice to extend across the width of a refrigerator truck, orsimilar area, as defined by a prescribed or allowable width of crossframe or cross bolsters of a vehicle requiring the flooring system ofthe invention, the maximum width limits of which are conventionallyfixed and estab lished in any particular instance by the location of the-marginal edge sections 12 and 14.

Installation of the flooring of FIG. 1 is accomplished by firstinstalling the marginal edging section 12 (FIG. 4), which is selected toprovide an interconnecting axially extending marginally grooved orfemale marginal edge configuration similar to the right-hand axiallyextending marginal edge area of the panel 10 of FIG. 3. The marginaledging section 12 is formed-with an upstanding outwardly disposed wallflange 54, to which body sheathing may be secured, and has an inwardlydirected right angularly disposed integrally attached bearing flange 52.The flange 52 extends inwardly of the area to be floored and carries aninwardly spaced vertically upstanding rib 56 capped with a flange 58lying in the plane of the cargosupporting flanges 24 of contiguouslyadjacent panels 10. Otherwise, and reference is made to FIG. 4, theupstanding rib is inwardly thickened at 60, downwardly and verticallyfaced at 62, angularly undercut at 64, shouldered at 68, and furthergrooved at 69 in identical manner to that of the marginal treatment andconfiguration of the grooved or female marginal edge area previouslydescribed for the right-hand marginal edge of the panel 10 of FIG. 3. Inthis connection the inwardly extending flange 52 carries an upstandingforeshortened rib 66 and is preferably grooved on its upper surface at70 for accurate location of fastening elements, such as the screws 120,extending through the aforesaid flange into the cross bolsters or framemembers 118 of a vehicle chassis (FIG. 1).

With the member 12 permanently secured to the vehicle frame, ashereinabove described, marginal interlocking interconnection is nextmade by tilted or inclined approach, insertion and downward coplanaroscillation of the male tongue 32 of a panel element 10 within the opentop female channel formed between the boss 60 and foreshortened rib 66to enter the extreme end or nose of the male member 32 within the groove69 in the same manner as described above for interconnecting marginaledge assembly of two similar panel members 10, after which a first soinstalled panel 10 is mechanically secured, as by screws 120, and thesealing strip 18 installed to seal the joint adjacent the marginaledging section 12.

Additional required panels 10 are each thereafter marginallyinterconnected, as previously described, and each in turn is edgesecured to the underlying bolsters 118 supporting the same in the orderof installation. The re-entrant grooves thus formed, in the area of eachof the interconnecting marginal joints, are thereafter packed or sealedwith the configurated sealing strips 18.

The righthand side marginal edging section 14 (FIG. 5) is marginallyconfigurated in substantial conformity with the left-hand axiallyextending marginal edge area previously described in connection with apanel 10 of FIG. 3. As thus configurated, the marginal edging section 14comprises an upstanding flange 74 and inwardly extending right angularlydisposed base flange 72 contiguously connected to an inwardly disposedor spaced upstanding rib 76 parallel to the outer flange 74. The rib 76carries a load or cargo-supporting flange 78 in the plane of the flanges24 of the contiguously adjacent coplanar panels 10, an integral inwardlyprojecting knee web 80 being downwardly offset or joggled to provide aperpendicular web surface 82 contiguous therewith and an undercut groove84 terminating in an inwardly extending male tongue or flange 86 in thesame manner as described for the male marginal profile or left-handmarginal area of the panel 10 of FIG. 3. The inclined thickness-definingsurface 88 and contiguous downwardly projecting curvilinear rib 90 arelikewise provided to complete the aforesaid similarity, with an addedgroove 92 being provided for accuracy in locating and securing themarginal edging section 14 following its interconnection with theearlier installed adjacent and laterally contiguous panel 10 of theflooring system of FIG. 1. As previously described, the configuratedsealing strip 18 will be installed within the re-entrant axiallyextending joint channel to seal the interconnection between a panel 10and right-hand marginal edging section 14, as clearly shown in FIG. ,1.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an integrated flooring system constructedin accordance with the invention in which a central reversing key member16 (FIG. 6) is employed to reverse the transverse directional marginalinterengaged installation of similar panel members 10 in theconstruction of a refrigeration type cargo-supporting area or truckfloor.

It will be observed that the reversing key member 16 (FIG. 6) comprisesa supporting or attaching base flange 94 and a central upstandingvertical rib 98 flanged at 102.

coplanar with the load or cargo-supporting flanges 24 of each of thepanels 10. The member 16 is symmetrical on either side of its verticalcentral axis, the central web 98 being thickened to provide an axiallyextending boss 100 having outwardly extending flat boss surfaces 104,undercut at 106 and shouldered at 108 to provide lateral entrancegrooves 109 thereunder in similar fashion to the female interconnectingmembers previously described in regard to the marginal edging member 12(FIG. 4) and right-hand edge of each of the panels 10 (FIG. 3). Thereversing key member 16 is also provided with upstanding outwardlyspaced foreshortened ribs 96 and outwardly therefrom its base flange 94is grooved at 110 for subsequent accurate drilling and installation ofthe same.

Installation of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2comprises first installing and rigidly securing the reversing key member16 substantially centrally of its underlying cross bolsters 118, as bymeans of mechanical fasteners or screws 120. Individual panels 10 arethereafter marginally interconnected outwardly and laterally from thecentral reversing key 16 and each individually secured following itsmarginal interconnection therewith following the procedure describedabove in the erection and installation of the flooring system of FIG. 1.As will be apparent on comparison of the installations of FIGS. 1 and 2,identical terminating marginal edging sections 14 serve to complete adesired transverse width of the deck or flooring of the system of FIG.

2. It will also be observed that the sealing strips 18 are employed incompletion of the installation of FIG. 2 in the same manner as describedfor the system of FIG. 1.

Analysis andscruitiny of the transverse configuration of the individualsimilar panels 10, opposite marginal edging members 12 and 14, andsymmetrical reversing key section 16, will clearly establish thatmetal-to-metal marginal interlocking joints are obtained in theintegrated assemblies thereof illustrated in the systems of FIGS. 1 and2. In this connection it will also be observed that the several marginaledge metal-to-metal interlocking connections or joints of FIGS. 1 and 2provide lateral inclined abutment or contact between adjacent inclinedsurfaces 34 and 51, 33 and 49, 34 and 63, 33 and 71, 88 and 51, and 49and 73 (FIG. 1); as well as between 49 and 73, 88 and 51, 34 and 107,and 33 and 122 (FIG. 2) of adjacent elements forming the marginal jointsin each instance thus insuring against lateral coplanar separation of aninstalled system, while providing the re-entrant grooves required toreceive and retain the preformed sealing strips 18.

The downwardly extending curvilinearly surfaced ribs or protuberances 36and are also significant in retory entry and interconnection between themale and female marginally configurated elements comprising themetal-to-metal connections, as Well as insuring upwardly applied andresisting pressure of the male flange or tongue 32 in bearing contactagainst the underside of the shoulders 42, 68 and 108; and similarapplied and resisting pressure of the male tongue 86 against theunderside of the shoulder 42.

The assembled flooring or surfacing systems of FIGS. 1 and 2 have inboth instances incorporated the preformed sealing strip 18 (FIG. 7). Itwill be understood and appreciated that conventional moldable typeplastic sealing or caulking compounds may be substituted and installedin situ for the preformed sealing strip 18 without in any way departingfrom the intended scope of the invention.

The marginal edge interconnected panel assembly illustrated in FIG. 8comprises two or more structural panels 124 having laterally spaced orseparated outwardly or upwardly directed load-carrying surfaces 130interconnected by channel configurations 128 providing downwardly orinwardly depressed web surfaces 132. It will be observed in thisconnection that the panels 124 are generally corrugated in transversecross-section to provide alternate upwardly and downwardly directedparallel channel configurations 128 and 126, respectively, the webs 130and 132 of which provide parallel spaced planar surfaces in more or lesssimilar manner to the refrigerated vehicle cargo-supporting floorassembly of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The opposite marginal edge portions or areas of each of the elongatepanels 124, in the assembly of FIG. 8, are profiled or configurated inidentical manner to the panel of FIG. 3 except in regard to the angularundercut recess 134, inwardly spaced from the male tongue or flange 136,into which the outermost end of the opposite marginal edge securingflange 138 of the female edge area of an adjacent panel extends onintegrated marginal interlocking assembly of adjacent structural panels124.

Assembly of the panels 124 follows the sequential order stipulated forthe panels of FIG. 3, the female marginal edge extension 138 being inturn secured by a suitable fastener 140 to an underlying transversestructural supporting member 142 in the manner above described for theinstallations of FIGS. 1 and 2. also be observed on inspection of theintegrated marginal joint of FIG. 8 that the interlocking marginal edgesof the adjacent panels 124 provide the undercut re-entrant grooves 144for receiving a resilient moisture-proofing sealing strip 146 selectedin transverse cross-section in the same manner as strip 18 (FIG. 7), orif desired, an in situ moldable plastic sealing or caulking compound maybe employed for this purpose.

FIG. 9 is illustrative of a further embodiment of integrated sheathedconstruction employing structural panels and joining practices fallingwithin the scope of the invention. The structural elongate panels 150 inthis embodiment provide outwardly or upwardly exposed fiat adjacentcoplanar panel areas 152 supported over their transverse width byparallel spaced ribs or webs 154 terminating in a common plane inbearing flanges 156. Opposite parallel male and female marginal edges ofeach panel 150 are profiled or configurated in identical manner to thatillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 8, with an undercutrecess 158 beingpreferred for receiving the outermost outwardly extending free end ofthe female marginal edge securing flange 160, similar to the mode ofconstruction depicted in FIG. 8.

Erection and installation of the system of FIG. 9 follows precisely thatdescribed for the assemblies of FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, a transversestructural supporting member 162 and female marginal edge securing meansIt will 164 being employed and the re-entrant undercut grooves 166overlying the interlocking marginal edges of adjacent panels beingsealed against moisture by a preformed elastic sealing strip 168, or insitu applied moldable plastic caulking or sealing compound, in the samemanner previously described for the integrated and assembled systems ofFIGS. 1, 2 and 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a slight departure from the integrated interlockingmarginal edge assembly shown in FIG. 9. In FIG. 10 the marginal edgejoint between adjacent outwardly facing flat surfaced panels 170 hasbeen elevated from that disclosed in all of the integrated systems ofthe previously illustrated and described joint assemblies.

It will be observed in this connection that the outermost marginal webor rib 176, constituting the profiled or configurated female area orportion of a panel 170, terminates in an angularly disposed outwardlyextended securing flange 172 in the plane of the bearing flanges 174 ofthe remaining rearwardly or downwardly extending ribs or webs 176.Elevated or spaced above the securing flange 172 a second outwardlyextending foreshortened flange 178 is provided having an upwardly andoutwardly extending inclined free terminal end or abutment 180. Theoutermost web or rib 176 is otherwise slightly thickened and profiledabove the foreshortened extending flange 178 to provide therewith a flatoutwardly facing boss surface 182, a subtending angularly undercutinwardly directed recess 184, and a further inwardly extending recess186 therebelow to thereby constitute a female configurationsubstantially similar and analogous to that described and/or illustratedfor the panels 10, 124 and 150.

The opposite marginal edge of a panel 170, constituting interlockingassembly between adjacent panels 170, is extended outwardly away fromits most outwardly located rearwardly or downwardly extending rib or web176 to provide a male profile or configuration in offset contiguousconnection below the outwardly exposed flat surface of the panel. Inthis regard offset connection of the male configuration or profileincludes an outwardly facing flat web surface 188 substantially normalto the exposed surface of the panel, a subtending angularly undercutrecess 190, and an outwardly extending male tongue extension'or flange192. The flange 192 is otherwise configurated to provide a rear inwardlydirected thickness defining downwardly and outwardly inclined surface194 complementary to the inclined female surface in bearing abutmenttherewith.

It will be observed that integrated assembly of adjacent panels in thesystem of FIG. 10 provides securement of the outwardly extendinglowermost flange 172 of a panel 170 to an underlying transversestructural supporting member or members 202 by means of suitablefasteners 204, in the same manner illustrated in FIG. 9, the securingflange 172 being received within or beneath the angular undercutshoulder or recess 200 of an adjacent panel 170. Otherwise, theinterlocking marginal edges of adjacent panels 170 provide there-entrant channel or groove 206 for receiving a resilient preformedsealing strip 208, or in situ applied moldable plastic sealing orcaulking compound, in the same manner as described for the previouslyillustrated interlocking panel structures. The main difference in thejoint structure of FIG. 10, over the previously illustrated anddescribed joints of the invention, lies in the provision therein of theelevated location of the interlocking joint thereof to position thesealing strip 208 with its upper or outwardly facing exposed surfacesubstantially coplanar with the upper or outwardly facing fiat surfacesof adjacent panels 170.

It is significant to observe in respect to the several structural panelsof the integrated assemblies of FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, as well as in respectto the edging strips and reversing key member (FIGS. 4, and 6) employedin the assemblies of FIGS. 1 and 2, that sheathed systems or panel areashave been provided which incorporate upwardly exposed moisture drainagechannels particularly adaptable to application in the construction ofrefrigerator-cargcysupporting vehicle floors, as well as stationary decksurfaces, exposed to moisture and requiring drainage provision.

The outwardly facing fiat surfaced structural panels incorporated in theassemblies or systems of FIGS. 9 and 10, on the other hand, are broaderin their application to sheathed structures in general provided withmoisture sealed joints between the individual structural panels thereof,regardless of the end use of the integrated systems. For example, thesystems or assemblies of FIGS. 9 and 10 are readily adaptable to floorsor decks, walls and roofs, where it is essentialto insure againstmoisture penetration in the areas of joints between adjacent panels,regardless of the origin or cause of the moisture. In this respect theinterlockingly joined and sealed systems of FIGS. 9 and 10 find readyuse as flooring in dry freight carriers, where moisture seepage andpenetration from the outside or underside of the flooring would bedetrimental. The same condition could result in roof and wallconstruction, and any one or all of the panel structures providing thesealed joints of the invention could be employed to prevent egress oringress of moisture through the joints incorporated therebetween, andprevent subsequent deterioration of adjacent joint areas as a resultthereof, regardless of environmental end use of the improved structuralpanels and integrated joints of the invention.

Although five embodiments of integrated interlocking structural panelsand moisture sealed joints there'between have been selected for purposesof describing and illustrating the benefits and advantages of theinvention, it will be understood that the basic structural featuresthere of are merely representative and not limiting of the scope andintent of the invention, except as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An elongate structural panel section of the character described forinterlocking opposite marginal edge coplanar assembly with a similaradjacent section, said section having an axially extending uniformtransverse cross-section comprising: 1

(a) an exposed surface and a parallel spaced supporting surface definingmaximum thickness depth thereof,

(b) one marginal edge having a transverse profile comprising a laterallyoutwardly extending male tongue in offset connection below and parallelto the exposed surface,

(c) said offset connection of the male tongue defining an outwardlydirected web surface substantially normal to the parallel exposed andsupporting surfaces and being subtended by an inwardly extendingundercut groove forming a sharp inwardly directed shoulder with theoutwardly directed web surface and a contiguous angularly downwardly andoutwardly inclined rear wall surface intersecting an adjacent parallelsurface of the male tongue,

(d) the opposite marginal edge having an outwardly directed boss surfacesubstantially normal to the parallel exposed and supporting surfaces andbeing subtended by an inwardly directed undercut. groove forming a sharpinwardly directed shoulder with the boss surface and a contiguousangularly downwardly and outwardly inclined rear wall surfaceintersecting a wall of a further inwardly directed recess below saidundercut groove,

(e) an upstanding abutment carried by said last-mentioned marginal edgelaterally outwardly disposed in respect to lateral axial coplanar inwardentrance to the further inwardly directed recess,

(f) said outwardly directed boss surface and upstanding abutment forminga laterally outwardly open entrance female channel for angularly tiltedentry and oscillation of said male tongue with said further inwardlydirected recess into coplanar assembly between adjacent axially reversedsimilar sections and the upstanding abutment restricting lateralcoplanar outward removal of the male tongue from the further inwardlydirected recess, and

(g) said outwardly directed boss surface and inwardly directed angularlyundercut groove therebelow respectively adapted to be in substantialcoplanar lateral registration with the web surface and inwardly directedangularly undercut groove therebelow of a similar adjacent section toform'therebetween an outwardly open re-entrant recess adapted to receivea sealing material in coplanar interlocking assembly between adjacentopposite marginal edges of two similar sections.

2. An elongate structural panel section of the character described forinterlocking opposite marginal edge coplanar assembly with a similaradjacent section, said section having an axially extending uniformtransverse cross-section comprising:

(a) an exposed surface and a parallel spaced supporting surface definingmaximum thickness depth thereof,

(b) one marginal edge having a transverse profile comprising a laterallyextending knee Web and a further laterally extending male tongue offsetbelow and in contiguous connections with the knee web,

(0) said knee web and male tongue being defined by opposite parallelsurfaces in substantial parallelism with the parallel exposed andsupporting surfaces and being confined within the maximum thicknessdepth therebetween,

(d) the offset contiguous connection between the knee web and maletongue defining an outwardly directed web surface substantially normalto the parallel exposed and supporting surfaces and being subtended byan inwardly extending undercut groove forming a sharp inwardly directedshoulder with the web surface and a contiguous angularly downwardly andoutwardly inclined rear wall surface intersecting the adjacent parallelsurface of the male tongue,

(e) the opposite marginal edge having an outwardly extending securingflange therefor in the plane of the supporting surface,

(f) said opposite marginal edge also having an outwardly directed bosssurface substantially normal to the parallel exposed and supportingsurfaces and being subtended by an inwardly directed undercut grooveforming a sharp inwardly directed shoulder with the boss surface and acontiguous angularly downwardly and outwardly inclined rear wall surfaceintersecting a wall of a further inwardly directed recess below saidundercut groove,

(g) an upstanding abutment carried by said outwardly extending securingflange laterally outwardly disposed in respect to lateral coplanarinward entrance to the further inwardly directed recess,

(h) said outwardly directed boss surface and upstanding abutment forminga laterally outwardly open entrance female channel for angularly tiltedentry and oscillation of said male tongue within said further inwardlydirected recess into coplanar assembly between adjacent axially reversedsimilar sections and the upstanding abutment restricting lateralcoplanar outward removal of the male tongue from the further inwardlydirected recess, and

(i) said outwardly directed boss surface and inwardly directed angularlyundercut groove therebelow respectively adapted to be in substantialcoplanar lateral registration with the web surface and inwardly directedangularly undercut groove therebelow of a similar adjacent section toform therebetween a re-entrant outwardly open recess adapted to receivea sealing material in coplanar interlocking assembly between adjacentopposite marginal edges of two similar sections.

3. An elongate structural panel in accordance with claim 1 in which thepanel section between its opposite marginal edges comprises an exposedtransversely uninterrupted flat surface area and the supporting surfacetherebelow comprises parallel spaced depending webs integral therewith.

4. An elongate structural panel in accordance with claim 1 in which thepanel between its opposite marginal edges comprises alternate upwardlyand downwardly directed parallel channel configurations in transversecrosssection the webs of which define the coplanar exposed andsupporting surface areas respectively thereof.

5. An elongate structural panel in accordance with claim 1 in which thepanel between its opposite marginal edges comprises in transversecross-section a bottom fiat supporting surface and the exposed surfacethereof is composed of upstanding parallel spaced coplanar T-sectionribs.

6. An elongate structural panel section for interlocking opositemarginal edge coplanar assembly with a similar adjacent section, saidsection having an axially extending uniform transverse cross-sectioncomprising:

(a) an exposed surface and a parallel spaced supporting surface definingmaximum thickness depth thereof,

(b) one marginal edge having a laterally extending knee web and afurther laterally extending male tongue offset below and in contiguousconnection with the knee web,

(c) said knee web and male tongue being defined by opposite parallelsurfaces in substantial parallelism with the parallel exposed andsupporting surfaces, confined within the maximum thickness depththerebetween, and disposed below the exposed surface thereof,

(d) the offset contiguous connection between the knee web and maletongue defining an outwardly directed web surface substantially normalto the parallel exposed and supporting surfaces and being subtended byan inwardly extending undercut groove forming a sharp inwardly directedshoulder'with the web surface and a contiguous angularly downwardly andoutwardly inclined rear wall surface intersecting the adjacent parallelsurface of the male tongue,

(e) the opposite marginal edge having an integral outwardly extendingsecuring flange therefor in the plane of the supporting surface,

(f) the opposite marginal edgehaving in addition an outwardly directedboss surface substantially normal to the parallel exposed and supportingsurfaces and being subtended by an inwardly directed undercut grooveforming a sharp inwardly directed shoulder with the boss surface and acontiguous angularly downwardly and outwardly inclined rear wall surfaceintersecting a wall of a further inwardly directed recess below saidundercut groove,

(g) an upstanding abutment carried by said outwardly extending securingflange laterally outwardly disposed in respect to lateral coplanarinward entrance to the further inwardly directed recess,

(h) said outwardly directed boss surface and upstanding abutment forminga laterally outwardly open entrance female channel for angularly tiltedentry and oscillation of said male tongue within said further inwardlydirected recess into coplanar assembly between adjacent axially reversedsimilar sections and the upstanding abutment restricting lateralcoplanar outward removal of the male tongue from the further inwardlydirected recess, and p .(i) said outwardly directed boss surface andinwardly directed angularly undercut groove therebelow respectivelyadapted to be in substantial coplanar lateral registration with the websurface and inwardly directed angularly undercut groove therebelow of asimilar adjacent section to form therebetween an outwardly openre-entrant recess adapted to receive a sealing material in coplanarinterlocking assembly between adjacent opposite marginal edges of twosimilar sections.

7. An elongate structural panel section in accordance with claim 6 inwhich the undercut outwardly open reentrant recess adapted to be formedbetween adjacent opposite marginal edges of two similar sections isadapted to receive a preformed resilient sealing strip of substantiallythe same transverse cross-section as the re-entrant recess, I

8. An elongated panel section of uniform transverse cross-section overthe axial length thereof and capable of providing one section in acontiguous marginal edge interlocking assembly of a plurality ofsections to form a refrigerated cargo-supporting area, said transversecrosssection profile comprising:

(a) a base web supporting parallel spaced upstanding ribs normal to andterminating in a common plane above and parallel to a base web andproviding axially extending open top air-conducting and drainagechannels,

(b) the section along one of its axially extending marginal edges beingprofiled to provide a knee web extending normally outwardly from themost outwardly disposed adjacent upstanding rib intermediate the depththereof,

(c) a downwardly projecting knee bend in the knee web presenting anoutwardly directed fiat web surface,

(d) an angularly profiled inwardly directed angularly profiled groovebelow said flat web surface and an outwardly extending male tonguecontiguous with the groove in a plane parallel to the base web andslightly above the same,

(e) the opposite marginal edge of the section being profiled to providea coplanar outward extension of the base web beyond the most outwardlydisposed upstanding rib adjacent thereto,

(f) said last-mentioned upstanding rib being locally thickenedintermediate its depth to provide an outwardly projecting boss having anoutwardly directed flat surface, an angularly profiled inwardly directedgroove below said outwardly directed flat surface, and a second furtherinwardly directed groove below said first groove terminating in theplane of the outwardly extended base web,

(g) said outwardly directed fiat surfaces and angularly profiledinwardly directed grooves immediately below the same disposed at eachside of the section being substantially dimensionally identical andelevationally coincident,

(h) an elevationally shorter rib carried by the extension of the baseweb outwardly disposed in respect to the second further inwardlydirected groove and forming therewith an open top female channel,

(i) one such section adapted to be tilted to enter its male tonguethrough the open top female channel of an adjacent similar section inreverse axial disposition thereof and on oscillation from tilted tocoplanar disposition of the two sections being adaptable to interlockthe extreme outer edge of the male tongue within the further inwardlydirected groove with the knee bend in outward abutment against theelevationally shorter rib,

(j) and said two sections being adapted to provide a downwardly openchannel and subtending laterally outwardly directed re-entrant groovetherebelow formed by the elevationally coincident flat surface areas andangularly profiled grooves therebelow respectively,

13 (k) and said downwardly open channel and subtending laterallyoutwardly directed re-entrant groove therebelow being adapted to receivean in situ plastic caulking compound for a laterally interlockedmarginal joint between a pair of adjacent coplanar sections.

9. The elongated panel section according to claim 8 in which thedownwardly offset knee bend is adapted to present an inclined surfacecomplementary to an inclined surface carried by the shorter upstandingrib in effective lateral abutment therebetween.

10. The elongated panel section according to claim 8 in which theoutwardly extending knee web is adapted to overlie the shorterupstanding rib of an adjacent interlocked panel section.

11. The elongated panel section according to claim 8 in which the maletongue carries a downwardly projected curvilinear rib on its undersideadapted to provide a fulcrurn for oscillatory entry of the male tonguewithin the further inwardly directed groove of an adjacent section.

12. An elongate structural panel section of the character describedaccording to claim 1 in which the outwardly open re-entrant recessadapted to be formed between two similar axially reversed sections isadapted to receive a preformed resilient sealing strip of substantiallythe same transverse cross-sectional configuration as the re-entrantrecess.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FRANK L. ABBOTT,Primary Examiner.

RICHARD W. COOKE, JR., Examiner.

R. S. VERMUT, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN ELONGATE STRUCTURAL PANEL SECTION OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED FORINTERLOCKING OPPOSITE MARGINAL EDGE COPLANAR ASSEMBLY WITH A SIMILARADJACENT SECTION, SAID SECTION HAVING AN AXIALLY EXTENDING UNIFORMTRANSVERSE CROSS-SECTION COMPRISING: (A) AN EXPOSED SURFACE AND APARALLEL SPACED SUPPORTING SURFACE DEFINING A MAXIMUM THICKNESS DEPTHTHEREOF, (B) ONE MARGINAL EDGE HAVING A TRANSVERSE PROFILE COMPRISING ALATERALLY OUTWARDLY EXTENDING MALE TONGUE IN OFFSET CONNECTION BELOW ANDPARALLEL TO THE EXPOSED SURFACE, (C) SAID OFFSET CONNECTION OF THE MALETONGUE DEFINING AN OUTWARDLY DIRECTED WEB SURFACE SUBSTANTIALLY NORMALTO THE PARALLEL EXPOSED AND SUPPORTING SURFACES AND BEING SUBTENDED BYAN INWARDLY EXTENDING UNDERCUT GROOVE FORMING A SHARP INWARDLY EXTENDINGSHOULDER WITH THE OUTWARDLY DIRECTED WEB SURFACE AND A CONTIGUOUSANGULARLY DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY INCLINED REAR WALL SURFACEINTERSECTING AN ADJACENT PARALLEL SURFACE OF THE MALE TONGUE, (D) THEOPPOSITE MARGINAL EDGE HAVING AN OUTWARDLY DIRECTED BOSS SURFACESUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO THE PARALLEL EXPOSED AND SUPPORTING SURFACES ANDBEING SUBTENDED BY AN INWARDLY DIRECTED UNDERCUT GROOVE FORMING A SHARPINWARDLY DIRECTED SHOULDER WITH THE BOSS SURFACE AND A CONTIGUOUSANGULARLY DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY INCLINED REAR WALL SURFACEINTERSECTING A WALL OF A FURTHER INWARDLY DIRECTED RECESS BELOW SAIDUNDERCUT GROOVE, (E) AN UPSTANDING ABUTMENT CARRIED BY SAIDLAST-MENTIONED MARGINAL EDGE LATERALLY OUTWARDLY DISPOSED IN RESPECT TOLATERAL AXIAL COPLANAR INWARD ENTRANCE TO THE FURTHER INWARDLY DIRECTEDRECESS, (F) SAID OUTWARDLY DIRECTED BOSS SURFACE AND UPSTANDING ABUTMENTFORMING A LATERALLY OUTWARDLY OPEN ENTRANCE FEMALE CHANNEL FOR ANGULARLYTILTED ENTRY AND OSCILLATION OF SAID MALE TONGUE WITH SAID FURTHERINWARDLY DIRECTED RECESS INTO COPLANAR ASSEMBLY BETWEEN ADJACENT AXIALLYREVERSED SIMILAR SECTIONS AND THE UPSTANDING ABUTMENT RESTRICTINGLATERAL COPLANAR OUTWARD REMOVAL OF THE MALE TONGUE FROM THE FURTHERINWARDLY DIRECTED RECESS, AND (G) SAID OUTWARDLY DIRECTED BOSS SURFACEAND INWARDLY DIRECTED ANGULARLY UNDERCUT GROOVE THEREBELOW RESPECTIVELYADAPTED TO BE IN SUBSTANTIAL COPLANAR LATERAL REGISTRATION WITH THE WEBSURFACE AND INWARDLY DIRECTED ANGULARLY UNDERCUT GROOVE THEREBELOW OF ASIMILAR ADJACENT SECTION TO FORM THEREBETWEEN AN OUTWARDLY OPENRE-ENTRANT RECESS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A SEALING MATERIAL IN COPLANARINTERLOCKING ASSEMBLY BETWEEN ADJACENT OPPOSITE MARGINAL EDGES OF TWOSIMILAR SECTIONS.